I woke up feeling tired and was already questioning myself. My mind started working against me by asking myself questions like: "Am I right on schedule with my marathon training? Would me drinking the past two days to celebrate my buddy's birthday affect my race, today? Why does the scale say I'm 3 lbs. heavier?"

Even though I maintained a good pace with the hills, it was taking its toll on my legs; and by the halfway mark, I began to slow down a little. I kept thinking to myself, ok, no worries, you’ve held back so far and can go a little faster the second half of the race. More hills came and went, and I continued running around the same pace until I passed mile 17.

The Rocky music was playing in the background as my wave was about to start. Well no matter how I did, I could at least hold my head up high, because I had given my best.